Juliénas Domaine de la Combe-Darroux 1996
The 1996 Juliénas Cuvée Prestige Vieilles Vignes is a French red wine produced by Domaine de la Combe-Darroux. Bottled directly at the property by Anne and Pascal Guignet, this wine carries the Appellation Juliénas Contrôlée classification and is crafted from old vines, as indicated by the Vieilles Vignes designation.
Juliénas is one of the ten designated Crus in the northern part of the Beaujolais region, situated just south of Burgundy on the border of the Mâconnais. Named after Julius Caesar, the area was granted AOC status in 1938 and encompasses approximately 580 hectares of vineyards planted on slopes with mixed exposure. The local climate is continental, characterized by cool nights and warm days, which creates significant diurnal temperature shifts. The soils provide excellent drainage and consist primarily of granite, schist, and clay-limestone, with deeper granite soils found in the higher parcels and more alluvial deposits in the lower areas.
The wine is made exclusively from Gamay, a classic French grape variety that finds its historical homeland in the Beaujolais region, though it is also frequently cultivated in the Loire Valley. The granite subsoil of the region is particularly well-suited for this grape. Juliénas is widely recognized as an underrated Cru and a quality-oriented source for structured Gamay wines, positioning itself stylistically between the lighter Crus and the more robust appellations of the area.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Beaujolais
Beaujolais south of Burgundy is the homeland of the Gamay grape. The area became world-famous for the young, fruity Beaujolais Nouveau, but the real quality lies in the ten cru villages such as Morgon and Fleurie. The granite subsoil yields juicy, light red wines with fresh acidity and aromas of red berries, flowers and spice. A classic and incredibly food-friendly French red wine region.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
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How it handles
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Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
Allow the bottle to stand upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Use a professional corkscrew and open carefully.
Enjoyment
Serve at 17–18°C and be patient – there is a great difference in how and how quickly wines open up when they are aerated.
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